The GSD has said that the publication of Mr Picardo’s “slating” of some of Sir Peter Openshaw’s findings as “irrational”, “unfair” and “unlawful” are a “bitter epilogue to GSLP contradictions” in the face of the public inquiry findings and their “unwillingness to accept inconvenient truths.”

A statement continued: "Sir Peter Openshaw’s defence to those proceedings is telling and powerful in exposing those contradictions. The public inquiry has cost the taxpayer more than £8M. Who knows how much Mr Picardo’s private legal challenge is costing the taxpayer over and above that? We have said previously that it is wrong for Mr Picardo to be using public funds on a private legal crusade which he should pay for himself. When the Inquiry was convened Mr Picardo promised it would establish “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” When the Inquiry reported Mr Picardo said he and the GSLP Government had been “vindicated” and “exonerated”. But a few weeks later he filed a judicial review which is now in the news again and he did so with the support of all his Ministers who own and condone his improper actions."

Leader of the Opposition, Keith Azopardi said: “All Ministers backed him to the hilt and have now welded themselves into this attack on Sir Peter Openshaw which follows on from other attacks on the Principal Auditor. What they are doing now is no more than adding to the shameful spectacle of a Government that said in December that “His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar welcomes the findings of the Inquiry” , then pretended it had been “vindicated” and added that “With the Report now published, Gibraltar can finally draw a line under this matter and move forward with confidence in the strength and integrity of our institutions.” It then proceeded to launch an all-out attack on the RGP as an institution in Parliament and in reality even now cannot accept those critical Inquiry findings. It is those appalling contradictions that are “irrational” and that demonstrate that this GSLP Government has learned nothing from this shameful episode. Lasting change will only come when they are removed from office by the people of Gibraltar.”